ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF COMMUNITARY CROPS OF SWEET QUINOA (CHENOPODIUM QUINOA WILLD. VAR. TUKAHUAN) AT ANDEAN REGION IN ECUADOR

Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa) is a trendsetter crop as it is a great source of vitamins, proteins and minerals and it is a gluten-free pseudocereal. Agriculture is a sector that contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. In Ecuador, agriculture contributed to 18.03% of emissions. The purpose of this research was to determine the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of communitarian systems that produce Sweet Quinoa in Ecuador. It was carried out by an inventory of the LCA. The data collected were through interviews and surveys, chemical analysis of soil samples, plant structure and manure applied. A bag of 25 kg of Quinoa has been selected as a functional unit. Impact indicators were defined as Quinoa yield per single environmental impact index, including GWP, aquatic eutrophication potential and aquatic ecotoxicology. The results indicate that a Quinoa yield obtained by a suitable application of manure is lower or equal to Wheat. The mitigation of aquatic eutrophication caused by the excessive use of N-fertilizer is an important factor in improving the eco-efficiency of the Quinoa productive chain. The importance of the LCA of an agro-product lies in knowing and reducing different environmental impacts and encouraging sustainable production.